Fragments from aviation history 1918
My late grandfather was a master carpenter mainly working on complicated staircases for large houses and mansions. On the onset of World War One in 1914, he was called up. The authorities considered his existing skills would be very useful in the aircraft industry, and he worked throughout the war in a reserved occupation producing propellors, it is understood at the Royal Aircraft Factory and at Sopwiths. Given to each worker in a supervisory position was the Aviation Pocket Book 1918, from which this material is taken. It is very evident from this book that warbirds of that vintage are very different from later types. Metal propellors or airscrews were yet to arrive, and the use of laminated hardwoods was a very precise art in airscrew design. Fuselage and wing construction was also wood, with elaborate procedures in rigging of the wires. It is however clear that these were reliable aircraft requiring considerable maintenance. The flying sections of the book are very interesting. Flying skills were hard learnt, with ground loops being the major risk on some biplane types. Surprisingly though, much of the flying instruction still holds true for the PPL today. Aero-engines appear very reliable, but requiring constant maintenance. The illustrations below are a selection from the book, various aircraft company adverts, aircraft parts adverts, and some drawings of aircraft with rigging detail. Lastly a drawing of the American Dirigible (airship), an unusual type I certainly have not seen before. It is very interesting that German aircraft are described in great detail, even late types, whereas then current UK and allies aircraft are given very scant detailing. This is probably because still being wartime these details were classified. Because of the valiant exploits of the UK RFC flyers of these aircraft not long off was the formation of the new RAF. The illustrations follow:
The Curtis was an american aircraft, the model shown being the triplane in US markings. They were built in Buffalo NY.
Lodge Spark Plugs, one of many component makers to advertise in the book. Engine design followed the motor car engine design methods of the time mainly, apart from the radial types. Engines appear very reliable.
Bristol Scout biplane, a standard RFC type, seeing action on many fronts. Fast (100 mph) and with an impressive 1000 ft. /min. climb rate.
Avro biplane. Two seat light biplane. Speed 83 mph. Rate of climb 400 ft/min. Rotory 100 hp. engine.
Spad biplane. Fast single seat scout with 150 hp. engine. Single synchronised cannon.
Nieuport biplane. Standard french issue, with a 80 hp. Le Rhone. Sesquiplane design with 8 cylinder radial. Weight 660 lbs. Had very large 8 ft. prop.
US Navy Airship or Dirigible. Had 100 hp. engine and duration of 10 hours. Could carry 1941 lbs. payload. Note similarity of gondola to current biplane fuselage design.
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